9/25 Policy vs Reality: Accessibility Barriers at Duke

Two years ago, in 2023, DNA formally appealed Duke’s attendance and withdrawal policy, calling for more flexible academic standards for students living with chronic illness, disability, and neurodivergence. Despite our advocacy, these policies remain largely unchanged - and we’re still fighting for reform today.

Under current guidelines, students who miss more than three classes risk academic concern, and those who miss around ten classes are often called into meetings about medical withdrawal. These rules assume consistency that many of us simply can’t guarantee. Chronic illness and neurodivergence often involve unpredictable incapacitation, yet Duke’s system continues to equate missed classes with academic failure.

But the reality? Many chronically ill and neurodivergent students continue to excel academically while managing fluctuating symptoms and barriers that policy doesn’t account for. The problem isn’t ability - it’s inflexibility.

At this meeting, we’ll discuss:

• What’s changed (and what hasn’t) since DNA’s 2023 appeal to the administration.

• How ableism in academic policy undermines equity and inclusion at Duke.

• Advocacy strategies for communicating with deans and professors when “policy” doesn’t fit your health reality.

• Next steps for collective action toward creating truly accessible attendance and withdrawal policies.